I had Error 311 too and what finally worked for me was calling the technical support line specifically (not the general SDI line) at 1-800-480-3287. They have a separate tech support queue that's usually shorter. When you get through, ask them to reset your account on their end - sometimes there's a glitch that prevents new registrations and they can clear it manually. Also make sure you're using Internet Explorer or Edge if possible, as their system seems to work better with those browsers. It's frustrating but don't give up!

Error 311 is such a pain! I went through the same thing a few months ago. What finally worked for me was a combination of things: I had to make sure my name was entered EXACTLY as it appears on my Social Security card (including any middle initials), use a completely different device (not just browser), and most importantly - I found out from a rep that if you've attempted to register too many times, the system temporarily locks you out for 24-48 hours. So if you've been trying multiple times in a row, wait a full 2 days before attempting again. Also try using incognito/private browsing mode. The whole system is frustratingly glitchy but persistence pays off!

Has anyone tried appealing an IME decision? I'm thinking about lawyering up but not sure if it's worth the hassle.

Hey Aisha! I went through the same thing about 6 months ago and it was super stressful. Here's what I learned: First, call them ASAP to get clarity on your specific situation. Ask for a case manager if possible - they tend to be more helpful than the general customer service reps. Key questions to ask: - What triggered the IME request? (sometimes it's just routine after a certain time period) - Will you get backpay for the time your benefits were suspended? - What's the typical timeline for your area? (mine took about 6 weeks total) - Can you request a specific doctor or do they assign one? Also, start gathering ALL your medical records now - the more documentation you have, the smoother the process goes. And yeah, definitely have some backup funds if possible because it can take a while. Hang in there! It sucks but most people do get through it eventually. Feel free to ask if you have other questions! 💪

UPDATE: I finally got this resolved! For anyone with similar issues: 1. I found an incomplete medical form in my account that was holding everything up (thanks to everyone who suggested checking for this) 2. I used the Claimyr service that someone recommended here and actually got through to a real person after trying for weeks! 3. The EDD rep was able to expedite my payment since I explained my financial hardship My payment should be in my account within 48 hours. What a relief! The system is still broken though - they really need to implement actual notifications when there are issues with your claim.

Congratulations on getting it resolved! Your experience is unfortunately way too common with EDD's SDI system. The fact that incomplete forms can hold up payments for weeks without any notification is absolutely unacceptable for people who depend on these payments for basic survival. I've been dealing with various state agencies for disability issues for years, and California really needs to overhaul their notification system. A simple automated email or text saying "Action Required: Incomplete Form" would prevent so much unnecessary stress and financial hardship. For future reference (and for others reading), I'd also recommend taking screenshots of your account after every certification and form submission. That way you have proof of when things were submitted if issues arise later. The system glitches are too frequent not to document everything. Hope your recovery goes smoothly and you don't have to deal with payment delays again!

I've been on CA disability twice and wanted to share a few additional tips that really helped me! First, your sister should download the Bank of America mobile app once she gets her card - it's actually easier to manage transfers and check balances through the app than the website. Second, if she's worried about the first payment timing, she can call the EDD automated phone line at 1-866-401-2849 to check if her payment has been issued (it usually gets loaded onto the card 1-2 days after the "paid" date shows in her online EDD account). One thing I learned the hard way - if she needs cash quickly and there's no BofA ATM nearby, Walmart MoneyCenter locations will let you withdraw up to $999 per transaction for just a $3 fee, which is way better than most ATM surcharges. Also, once she sets up the online account, she can get text alerts when payments are loaded onto her card, which is super helpful for budgeting. Hope her claim goes smoothly and congratulations on the upcoming baby!

Just wanted to add something that saved me a lot of stress when I was on disability - your sister should definitely take a photo of both sides of the EDD card as soon as it arrives and store it securely on her phone or in a safe place. The card number, expiration date, and security code are all you need to set up online transfers or make online payments, so if she ever loses the physical card, she can still access her funds digitally while waiting for a replacement. I had my card fall out of my wallet once and this backup saved me from being completely stuck without access to my money for over a week. Also, make sure she memorizes or writes down the PIN separately from where she stores the card info - you need both for ATM withdrawals but keeping them separate is safer if one gets compromised. The EDD system can be frustrating enough without adding preventable headaches on top of it!

idk if this helps but I saw on twitter that EDD is having some system maintenance this week. Might be causing delays?

OP, how long has it been since you certified? Sometimes it takes a few days for the payment to process.